Northern Cypriot Church Holds Good Friday Service

Famagusta's St. George Exorinos has been restricted to Greek Cypriots for fifty-eight years. Tomorrow, the church will conduct liturgy on one of the most meaningful dates in Greek Orthodoxy.

Famagusta's Greek Cypriot mayor-in exile Alexis Galanos, hopes that this observance is an indicator for long-term peace between the two divided sides of the island. Galanos collaborated with Turkish Cypriot Mayor Oktay Kayalp to organize Good Friday, that is predicted to hold 4,000 Greek Orthodox followers. According to Kathimerini, the Greek Cypriot described, "It gives a message of reconciliation and cooperation of Greek and Turkish Cypriots throughout Cyprus, and particularly for a reunified Famagusta".

St. George Exorinos services halted, prior to Cyprus achieving independence from Britain in 1960. About 45,000 Greek Cypriots from Famagusta fled the region in 1974, when Turkish troops invaded. Unsuccessful peace negotiations have been held consistently ever since. As of last December, St. George Exorinos has held Greek Orthodox morning services twice.